(.PDF)

LOWELL, Mass. – The No. 4 ranked UMass Lowell Hockey team (23-10-3, 14-7-1 HEA) downed New Hampshire (15-19-5, 7-11-4 HEA), 3-1, in the second game of the Hockey East quarterfinals on Saturday night at the Tsongas Center in front of 5,861 fans.
 
With his helper at 11:29 in the second period, senior defenseman Michael Kapla (Eau Claire, Wis.) notched his 73rd career assist, becoming the all-time leader in assists by a Div. I defenseman at UMass Lowell.
 
Freshman goaltender Tyler Wall (Leamington, Ont.) recorded 18 saves en route to his 22nd win of his freshman campaign. His 22 wins ranks first in the nation among freshman goaltenders.
 
"We are certainly pleased with the outcome," said Head Coach Norm Bazin. "Our response tonight, I was pleased with the penalty kill. I thought several players cleaned up their game tonight when we needed it. Overall it was a good game."
 
After a UMass Lowell penalty left the special teams unit on a four-on-five penalty kill, New Hampshire drew blood first with a tally at 8:43 in the first. Despite holding the Wildcats to one shot on the power play, Matais Cleland was able to find the back of the net to give his squad the 1-0 lead.
 
The home team didn't trail for long thanks to junior defenseman Tommy Panico (Wall, N.J.), who notched his third marker of the season for the, 1-1, equalizer.  Junior forward C.J. Smith (Des Moines, Iowa) picked up his 25th helper and 43rd point on the year to add to his career best season as a River Hawk.
 
UMass Lowell was aided by a two-goal second frame, where the team outshot their opponent 12-9. Additionally, the squad went a perfect two-for-two in penalty kills.
 
With a blast from the blue line by junior forward John Edwardh (Calgary, Alberta), the River Hawks claimed their first lead of the game at 3:07 in the period. The squad later extended their lead to two, following a score from sophomore forward Ryan Dmowski (East Lyme, Conn.) to mark their biggest lead of the contest, 3-1. Dmowski posted a game-high two pints (1g, 1a).
 
New Hampshire outshot UMass Lowell, 9-7, in the final period but a strong defensive showing by Wall and the River Hawks was enough to keep the Wildcats off the board for the 3-1 victory.
 
UMass Lowell is back in action on Sunday, March 12 against New Hampshire in the decisive third game of the Hockey East Quarterfinals with a trip to the TD Garden on the line. Puck drop is set for 4:05 p.m. from the Tsongas Center. To purchase tickets from Game 3 CLICK HERE.